Best bets

BEST BETS

April 14, 2006|By SIMMI BUTTAR

Auto racing

Late model shootout

Where -- Hagerstown Speedway

When -- Tonight, 7:30

What now? -- The first round of the Winchester-Hagerstown Late Model Shootout will feature a 40-lap race in which the winner will get $3,000. Fortunately for local racing fans, there is a slim chance of any driver's girlfriend starting any trouble with other drivers. For more information, contact the speedway at (301) 582-0640.

Online -- hagerstownspeedway.com

Baseball

Angels@Orioles

Where -- Camden Yards

When -- Tonight, 7:05; tomorrow, 4:35 p.m.; Sunday, 1:35 p.m.

What now? -- After finishing off their four-game series against the Devil Rays last night, the Orioles host a team that made the 2005 playoffs for the second consecutive weekend as the Los Angeles Angels make their only visit of the season for a four-game series. There's no truth to the rumor that the Bird and the Rally Monkey will duke it out for mascot supremacy during the weekend. Hopefully for Orioles fans, the only thundering that will be heard will be by the offense and not those annoying ThunderStix. Tickets are available on the Orioles' Web site or at the Camden Yards box office.

Online -- orioles.com

College Lacrosse

Georgetown@Loyola

Where -- Geppi-Aikens Field

When -- Tomorrow, 1 p.m.

What now? -- The No. 20 Greyhounds, coming off last week's 9-4 win over Rutgers, get one of their biggest challenges of the season in the No. 2 Hoyas. Junior Dan Bauers, who was named the ECAC Offensive Player of the Week, paced the victory with three goals. Loyola has not beaten Georgetown since 2001, and a quality win would strengthen its case for a berth in the NCAA tournament. General admission seats are $5 and are available at the ticket office.

Online -- loyolagreyhounds.com

College Lacrosse

Maryland @Johns Hopkins

Where -- Homewood Field

When -- Tomorrow, 8 p.m.

What now? -- The longtime rivals enter their 102nd meeting going in opposite directions. The No. 6 Blue Jays have won two straight. Hopkins has also beaten Maryland in seven of the past nine meetings and hasn't lost at home to the Terps in 10 years. The No. 7 Terps have dropped their past two, and could be making a goalie change with sophomore Jason Carter possibly replacing All-American Harry Alford. Ticket information is on Hopkins' Web site. For more information, call 410-516-7490.

Online -- hopkinssports.com

Pro Basketball

Cavaliers@Wizards

Where -- Verizon Center, Washington

When -- Sunday, 6 p.m.

What now? -- After dropping their fourth straight game on Wednesday night in a 100-97 loss to the Bucks, the Wizards (39-39) still have not clinched a playoff spot with only four regular-season games left. They may get another chance Sunday against LeBron James and the Cavaliers in a possible first-round playoff preview. Washington is still in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but is now just a game ahead of Milwaukee and Indiana. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.